Gospel

---

"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." John 14:6
One may believe it or deny it, but no one can misunderstand it.

There is a re-surfacing of New Age teaching apparently sparked by, certainly perpetuated on, the Oprah Winfrey show. Over a period of several segments, guests on the show made reference to the peoples of the earth who had never heard of Jesus: Hindus, Muslims, African tribes, etc. And the question was posed, "How can we condemn those people to damnation who never heard of Jesus?" And the answer to the title question from the audience was a resounding, "No!"

False premises invariably produce false conclusions, and this is a sad and poignant example. First, let's be clear about a basic principle. We do not even have the right to an opinion as to where anybody else on earth is going to spend eternity. That is strictly God's province, and His alone. Because of that absolute fact, we can take comfort that it's not all up to us to tell the whole world about Jesus. Scripture says plainly that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to a knowledge of the truth. (2 Peter 3:9) It is also clearly stated that His hand is not shortened that He cannot save to the uttermost. (Isaiah 59:1) Rest assured, then, that it is not all up to us. We are commissioned as earthen vessels to share the Good News to the outside limit of our abilities, but we are His helpers, not His guarantee.

The Book says that the end of time will not come until every nation has heard the gospel. (Mark 13:10) Also in the Revelation there is a strong suggestion that angels will help in this matter. (14:6) Let's not try to lower God's standard so we mere mortals can reach it. Remember our abilities are as limited as our knowledge. God is God, and we are not. That ought to be taught in the first grade of Christianity.

It makes the rest of the course so much easier.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE